NFL

A roundup of the eight NFL teams that opted to place the franchise tag on a player prior to Tuesday's deadline.

Gesicki had made a total of $6.6 million in his first four seasons with the Dolphins, and it remains possible that he and the team could still work out a longer-term extension between now and mid-July. If Schultz signs it, the sides will have until July 15 to come to terms on a longer contract that would have less of a salary cap hit as Dallas looks for relief. Adams and the Packers now have until July 15 to work out a long-term extension. By expending that much draft capital on protecting quarterback Patrick Mahomes' blind side, it became clear that Kansas City planned to either sign Brown to an extension or place the franchise tag on him. He has 342 catches for 4,643 yards and 29 touchdowns. The exact number is not yet available, but it's likely to be about $16.5 million. Tuesday is the deadline for franchise tags. Jarwin's future now is in doubt because of a hip issue requiring career-threatening surgery. He was a key player in 2021 as the Bengals reached their first Super Bowl in 33 years. The Dolphins on Tuesday placed the franchise tag for the coming season on Gesicki, ensuring that the tight end will be back for 2022 instead of hitting the free agent market. He caught 35 passes for 475 yards and four touchdowns. (AP) — The Dallas Cowboys placed the franchise tag on tight end Dalton Schultz on Tuesday, buying time to agree on a long-term deal for one of Dak Prescott's most reliable targets.

The NFL's quarterback market continues to explode, but will anyone be able to top Patrick Mahomes?

Mahomes and Allen were the only quarterbacks in the $200 million club before the 2022 NFL offseason. The middle class for quarterbacks is largely gone in terms of total value; only Kirk Cousins is being paid between $40 million and $118 million. That Watson got nearly $80 million more in guarantees than Rodgers and Allen is shocking. Each of the NFL's top 10 quarterbacks in terms of average annual value is making at least $30 million per year. Rodgers signed an extension where he is set to make an average of just under $50.3 million per year on his new three-year contract. Less than a year later, he already has dropped to third place in terms of total guaranteed money. Before we answer that question, let's first establish that the best way to compare salaries in the NFL is by using a contract's average annual value. Sporting News takes an in-depth look at the league's highest-earning quarterbacks for 2022 and how much they are making in terms of average annual value, guarantees and overall money. It used to be rare to see an NFL team giving out a $100 million contract. Each year, new deals seem to one-up the last crop of extensions. The NFL quarterback market has shown no signs of slowing down, either. Quarterback is the most important position in the league and no team wants to get stuck with spotty play from its signal-caller.